Rangers’ ‘world-class’ Aaron Ramsey backed by Wales boss Rob Page
Rangers suffered penalty shootout heartbreak in the Europa League final as Eintracht Frankfurt left Seville with the trophy on Wednesday (18 May).
It was a battle of nerves with extremely high-quality spot kicks across the board except the one taken by on-loan midfielder Aaron Ramsey which was enough to lose the game for the Gers.
The Light Blues were quick to console the 31-year-old as soon as the winning penalty was buried into the top corner by Rafael Borre as the Scots left Spain empty-handed.
Wales manager Rob Page has thrown his support behind his star player Ramsey after Wednesday’s devastating defeat and says he’ll throw him back into a shootout should it be required.
“Absolutely, 100 per cent,” Page said when asked whether he trusted Ramsey to take a penalty for Wales, as quoted by the Scottish Sun.
“It happens to the best in the world. Top players, they put themselves up. “I am so proud of him for putting himself up (to take a penalty for Rangers), he is a world-class footballer.
“He had the courage and conviction to take a penalty. Top players recover from that, no problem. “I have no doubt whatsoever if it comes to penalties that he will take one.”
Redemption
That penalty miss will play through in Ramsey’s mind perhaps for the rest of his life, knowing that he was the only one to not find the net and lose the trophy for his temporary side.
The 31-year-old was brought on late into the game having only been selected for the bench by Giovanni van Bronckhorst but he was brave enough to put his hand up, unlike some of those who had been on the field for much longer.
Thankfully for the Welshman, he could have the chance to right those wrongs this weekend as Rangers dust themselves down from their Seville slumber to take on Hearts in the Scottish Cup final.
Hampden Park is another imposing venue to be playing in such a final but this time, the Gers go into the game as strong favourites to win having beaten the Jam Tarts’ best side despite making 10 changes for the final league game at Tynecastle last weekend.
It would be the perfect end to the Hollywood blockbuster for ‘Rambo’ to come off the bench again and score the winner and endear himself once again to the Ibrox faithful.
In other Rangers news, Chris Sutton was very quick to get on Twitter and give the Light blues some stick after the final penalty was scored.